A federal class action claims Humana jacked up its health insurance premiums to coincide with Obamacare, while failing to give policy holders a reasonable way to cancel policies.Lead plaintiff Daniel L. Doyle sued Kentucky-based Humana on Tuesday.
Doyle says he received a letter from Humana in August stating that his policy would be canceled on Dec. 31, 2013 and replaced with a new one, to coincide with the Affordable Health Care Act.
The premium for the new policy would be $395.97 a month, significantly (73%) higher than the $229.30 a month Doyle had been paying.
Doyle says he received another letter on Oct. 24, 2013 with clarification to the August letter. He then found a better policy with another provider and wanted to cancel his policy with Humana.
"On or about November 20, 2013, Mr. Doyle was notified that he had new insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield beginning December 1, 2013," the complaint states.
"Plaintiff then immediately attempted to contact Humana to cancel his policy but was unable to reach anyone who could assist him to cancel.
"Plaintiff again tried to cancel two to three days later. He again was unable to reach anyone at Humana who could assist him in cancelling his policy.
"On numerous occasions, Mr. Doyle unsuccessfully attempted to cancel his policy by calling the toll-free number listed in the October 24, 2013 letter. Whenever Mr. Doyle called the toll-free number, he encountered an automated call system that would not enable him to speak to a person.
"Frustrated with the significant hold times and inability to speak with a human being, Mr. Doyle contacted his Blue Cross representative, who provided a fax number for Humana which he was unable to locate on Humana's website.
"On or about November 25, 2013, Mr. Doyle sent a facsimile to Humana providing Human with written cancellation of his policy.
"Humana refused to respond to Mr. Doyle's written cancellation request.
Doyle seeks class certification, wants Humana enjoined from continuing its practices, disgorgement of profits from the scheme and actual and punitive damages for violations of the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act.
Humana is one of the largest health insurers in the country, with more than $13 billion in revenue in 2013, according to the lawsuit.
Full Article and Source:
A Breach of Trust: Humana Used Obamacare as Club Against Policyholders
See Also:
A Breach of Trust
5 comments:
A class action suit should be a lot of publicity and warn potential victims.
Beware of Humana!
H U M A N A procedures are designed for profits at your expense with special warning to the over 65 age group who select HUMANA DisAdvantage Plans.
This plan will work for you IF you don't need it for rehab after a broken bone, hip etc. or due to accident or CVA event / a stroke.
Keep your eyes on Abreachoftrust.com for the full story.
Thank you for information the main stream news is disregarding. Schemes for health care coverage is critical information Humana's actions and inactions verified by people in authority at A Breach of Trust is newsworthy and it could very well be life and death when will the regulators actually do something to better protect the citizens who are paying premiums?
coincidence or divine intervention those scheming arrogant rude thugs at humana know they have their members in a shrinking corner while their clocks are ticking my experience is just say the word humana and the reaction is twisted faces then anger leading to rage with expletives that i cant submit this comment would then be rejected for offensive language which is understandable
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